Help Needed for Archaeological Dig
Volunteers needed to help find Scottish artefacts from the Battle of Flodden.
Following on from the hugely successful dig at Norham Castle in April, the Flodden 1513 team are looking for another team of volunteers to unearth some more of the story behind the Battle of Flodden. This, the second Flodden 1513 Archaeology Excavation dig, will take place at Ladykirk in Berwickshire from 4 – 14 May.
During the dig, volunteers will investigate the fields between Ladykirk Church and the River Tweed and to the east of the Church. Any findings will form part of the wider Flodden 1513 project to commemorate the 500th anniversary of this important battle. As full training will be given, no previous experience is necessary just a willingness to roll up your sleeves and join in.
The aim of this dig is to investigate features which were identified during geophysical surveys in the spring of 2012. These include two possible gun emplacements on the edge of the river terrace, and the remains of an 18th Century farm steading to the east of the church. The steading, though later than the period of the battle, will be interesting to dig and is being investigated with the aim of establishing whether there are earlier buildings possibly relating to James IV’s use of the site and maybe the construction of the church still surviving under the remains of the later buildings.
“As the dig at Norham Castle proved so popular, I am really keen to progress to the Ladykirk site to look for further artefacts and evidence to give us a clearer idea of what transpired at Flodden” explains Chris Burgess, Flodden 1513 Archaeological Manager.
Cont’d………
Page 2
Reporting on the recent dig at Norham Castle Chris Burgess said:
“As suspected from the start, the excavation targets visible in the geophysical survey at Norham Castle were not siege works connected to James IV’s attack on the castle in 1513 (or to any other siege for that matter). However the community excavators have none the less provided valuable information about the castle that gives a better understanding of its extent and the things that went on within its walls. The excavation trenches found not only the remains of cultivation but also of an industrial ‘yard’ where it seems lead objects, both military and domestic were being made. Beneath this ‘yard’ were the remains of the foundations of several buildings which show just how extensive structures were in the outer ward of the castle. “
The finds and results from Norham Castle will be worked on through the summer and an interim report prepared which will be made available for people to read on the iFlodden website and will be passed to English Heritage to aid in their management of the site.
For those keen to find out more about their local history, the dig is part of an extensive range of training courses, taster courses and archaeological excavations taking place on both sides of the border. Chris is also planning further excavations at Flodden Hill as well as some back garden digs in Branxton and Crookham. To help with the projects volunteers will also be able to attend training in Metal Detecting, Finds Handling and Recording, Archaeological Illustration and Surveying.
To reserve a place on the Ladykirk dig, please email flodden500@gmail.com quoting Ladykirk dig in the subject line. To ensure that you have the necessary insurance, anyone working on the dig will need to be a member of Till Valle Archaeological Society (TillVAS) or take out its annual ‘field work’ membership cost £2.
For more information on the all the activities taking place to mark the anniversary please visit www.flodden1513.com.
- ENDS –
For further information, images and interviews, please contact:
Barbara Huddart – Marketing Consultant to the Committee of the Flodden 1513 Ecomuseum. e: barbara@glendalepr.co.uk – t: 01668 283044 – 07980850394
Notes to Editors
About Flodden 1513 Ecomuseum Ltd:
Flodden 1513 Ecomuseum Ltd is a not-for-profit company established to coordinate the heritage and legacy of the Battle of Flodden as well as mark its quincentenary in 2013. An ecomuseum offers a new perspective on how to interpret ‘heritage and association of place’. It is a concept which allows the interconnection of sites or projects which are associated to a central theme or story and does so without claiming central ownership or control. It is a sustainable museum- created, owned and directed by its community- the Flodden community.
About the Heritage Lottery Fund
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported over 34,000 projects, allocating £5billion across the UK. Website: www.hlf.org.uk
River Wear Needs Your Help!
Volunteers from all along the length and breadth of the River Wear are needed to help carry out a survey of the river.
Wears River Trust, along with Groundwork North East, Durham Wildlife Trust and Durham University have received pilot funding from the Environment Agency to secure local volunteers to become actively involved in river management. The volunteers will walk along stretches of the river near their homes and provide their findings to build a more complete understanding of the river. They would record the channel characteristics, as well as any issues they think might be affecting the fish and other river wildlife.
Established in November 2008, the Wear Rivers Trust aims to conserve, protect, rehabilitate and improve the landscape and watercourses of the whole River Wear catchment. So far the Trust has been successful in delivering 12 habitat improvement and educational projects. They have completed three fish large pass projects, and are currently working on further fish passes, water quality education and community engagement projects.
Volunteers will take part in a survey and submit their findings and photographs that will then help build up a picture of what is happening on the river and then work together to seek funding to make improvements. The aim is to collect data not only from the main river but also the tributaries leading into it.
Lizzie Willows, Education and Community Engagement Officer, giving further background to this initiative “We cannot rely completely on government agencies; it is vital for local people to be involved and fill the gaps in river records”. Obstructions to fish migration are of particular interest given that Wear Rivers Trust is delivering projects to help all species of fish to access the varied habitats they need at different stages of their life cycles”.
A key volunteer, Ferry Hill District Angling Club Trustee, Jim Wood is keen to encourage other volunteers “As an angler it is important to recognise the importance of keeping the tributaries of our rivers free from potential issues. It’s in the interest of all of us, land owners and local people, to ensure our waterways are monitored and issues reported so our stream and river ecosystems are improved for future generations to enjoy.”
Even those volunteers who are not directly involved with the river, such as Sue Zissler, are keen to reiterate the personal benefits of taking part, “It is an ideal opportunity for my husband and I, who have an interest in the River Wear and its tributaries, to get involved. With the kind permission of the landowners, during our walkover surveys we enjoy the exercise and hopefully contribute to the overall data map, which will determine where funds and resources may need to be concentrated in the future.”
Anyone interested in taking part in this work by surveying a stretch of river then please contact Lizzie Willows of the Wear Rivers Trust on 01388 488867. The pilot project is now complete and volunteers are needed for a further walkover project in the summer.
We are always keen to meet new volunteers and we also offer Riverfly training and the chance to help with electro-fishing in the summer, as well as running other practical volunteer events to help us with our work.
For anyone unable to commit time to actively volunteer perhaps you could support the Wear Rivers Trust objectives and activities through a donation (see website: http://www.wear-rivers-trust.org.uk/content/support). A financially efficient way of donating is through Local Giving (http://localgiving.com/charity/wear-rivers-trust) where registered monthly donations of up to £10 will be matched for free, doubling the funds we receive for 12 months.
- ENDS -
Media Contact – Barbara Huddart
T: 01668 283044
E: info@glendalepr.co.uk
National Radio Broadcast Highlights North East Business Issues
After taking part in the Budget Special for the BBC Radio Four Programme ‘You and Yours’, Patricia Arnold of Patricia J Arnold & Co Chartered Accountants in Hexham was asked to create a feedback session with some of her clients. Delighted to help highlight the concerns of North East businesses, Patricia arranged a second programme with participants from Deli at No 4, Orchard House Veterinary Practice and Border Park Builders giving their reaction to the budget and their views on the economic outlook for the region.
The businesses involved had slightly different views according to the industries in which they operate but there was agreement across the board that what is badly needed to get the economy going is more consumer confidence.
Patricia expanded, “Although many of the local businesses felt the budget had some good ideas, the overall reaction was that it simply didn’t go far enough. In addition, as many of the measures do not come into effect for a considerable time or have not been fully explained, there is a feeling of being in limbo which is not creating the confidence we need.”
As owners of a relatively small business, Deli at No 4 was pleased that the government was offering employers help by reducing the level of National Insurance contributions and offering the opportunity to take a holiday from NIC payments. However in common with many businesses, they believe the government could help them further by reducing VAT. It has been suggested that the Chancellor could use the General Anti Avoidance Rule (GAAR) to create a level playing field for all businesses by making the ubiquitous 20% off for cash unacceptable. Banks also need to be encouraged to play their part, being involved in tourism, many North East businesses are heavily reliant on seasonal trade and need their banks to understand this when extending lines of credit.
Contd………..
Page. 2 – National Radio
Orchard House is too big to benefit from the NIC saving but agreed and commented further on problems with bank funding and confidence. Issues such as the impact of insurance claim times on business debtors and cashflow implications are also holding back expansion.
One of the keys to getting the economy moving is to get the property industry back to where it was before the current economic decline. It’s not just new homes that are not being built; during the broadcast Border Park Builders Ltd told listeners, that a survey by the Federation of Master Builders suggests work on extensions is down by 5%. Boosting our much needed housing stock could create as many as 700,000 jobs and significantly increasing tax revenue to the HRMC.
Planning problems and a lack of clear guidance to planning officers is adding to the problems facing the building industry. Patricia herself has personal experience of this having waited 2 years for permission to restore a handsome Edwardian property close to Hexham town centre for business expansion. Although she was prepared to finance her future in Hexham, the investment which was badly needed by the local economy ended up being considerably delayed.
The house loan scheme to help first time buyers announced in the budget was supposed to help the industry. However as it doesn’t come into effect for twelve months as with the announcement on changes to the NIC, the panel felt is may actually have been better not to have announced it all as it is causing people to wait rather than to take action. Will the NIC really help or just subsidise or even delay jobs that would have happened anyway?
Patricia concludes, “It seems that apparently 60% of us in business feel that our businesses will be in a better place in 12 months’ time. Whilst only 20% of us feel that the economy as a whole will be in a better place. This is not consistent and demonstrates the disastrous economic impact of lack of confidence and given that lack of confidence, even if we felt our business is going to do well, the entrepreneurs amongst us will not take the risks we need to make the economy grow again.
ENDS –
PR & Media Enquiries to: Barbara Huddart- Glendale PR T. 01668 283044 M. 07980 850394
Editors Notes
Based in Hexham, Patricia J Arnold & Co Ltd was founded in 1985 to provide expert accounting and taxation advice with a specialist team which combines professional qualifications with practical experience. The firm provides tailor-made services to individuals, partnerships and small to medium-sized businesses throughout the North East and further afield.
For more information please contact Patricia J Arnold & Co Ltd Tel: 01434 606624 Email: patricia@pjarnold.co.uk or visit www.pjarnold.co.uk